Preview: Collectormania Comes Back To London

The cults are coming back to town. No, not the crazy kind that make you sell your house or have group poison parties. We mean the movie cult kind.

Showmasters presents another London Collectormania Convention, a mish mash of time honoured and contemporary science fiction, horror and classic movie fun, all bundled into the Earls Court Olympia Convention Hall. The event draws thousands to shake hands with movie and TV talent (fancy meeting Freddy Kruger, Hellraisers Pin Head and John 'Captain Jack' Barrowman in the same room?) listen to talks by actors and crew, enter competitions, get autographs and peruse memorabilia stalls of every description.

Many attendees dress up in costume to emulate time honoured characters from movie lore, which often include a healthy smattering of Storm Troopers, anime characters and the occasional Starfleet officer. Other fans stick to a more esoteric dress code and sport T-shirts with fictional movie logos, such as the Slaughtered Lamb pub or Universal Exports emblem, to pay discreet homage to films such as American Werewolf in London, or action heroes like James Bond.

The convention offers a full plate to film culture followers on any level, from passive DVD renter to grindhouse movie maniac and even boasts full displays of blockbuster film props that fans can photograph or pose with that would be worthy of any personalised Christmas card cover.

By Adam Farina

Collectormania London is at the Earls Court Olympia, 28-29 November. Event starts at 9am-6pm Sat and 9am-5pm Sun (Early bird restrictions apply). Tickets are £5 per day for regular admission. Special entry prices available. For more information visit www.collectormania.com